Transporter-Mediated Effects of Diclofenamic Acid and its Ascorbyl Pro-Drug in the in Vivo Neurotropic Activity of Ascorbyl Nipecotic Acid Conjugate

Continuing our studies on SVCT2 ascorbic acid (AA) transporter-mediated drug delivery of neurotropic agents, we have now investigated the in vitro intracellular uptake of Diclofenac (Diclo) and its conjugate (AA-Diclo), both characterized by high affinity for the SVCT2 transporter. We have also investigated the in vivo uptake mechanism of AA-conjugate of Nipecotic acid (AA-Nipec) and the implication of the transporter-mediated effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo. Diclo resulted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of AA transport, but also showed a sodium-dependent and ascorbate-independent uptake, thus implying the possible involvement of specific transporters in the delivery to the brain of Diclo. This result opens a perspective in the discovery of new strategies in the targeting of this drug to the brain. Inhibitory effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo on the SVCT2 transporter were used to study anticonvulsant effects of AA-Nipec, confirming our hypothesis of an SVCT2-mediated transport in its neurotropic activity. AA-Diclo stability has been also investigated: it is hydrolyzed following a first-order kinetics in buffer, plasma (t1/2 at about 10 h) and whole blood (t1/2 at about 3 h), suggesting AA-Diclo as a potential candidate to enhance the short half-life of Diclo in vivo. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:78–85, 2004